How does communication work in a noisy environment? Why are we usually able to concentrate on a conversation without any problems at a busy party, whilst people with hearing impairments often find this very difficult? And how can hearing aids be developed to better support people in such situations?

Our research group addresses these and similar questions. Our aim is to better adapt hearing aids and other hearing assistance systems to the demands of everyday life. To this end, we investigate the acoustic environment itself, the functioning of the hearing aid, and the behaviour of participants in real-life communication situations.

A key research focus is the analysis of natural communication situations. During conversations, people move around, direct their attention to different people and react to complex acoustic environments. Such processes require what is known as ‘auditory scene analysis’ – the hearing system’s ability to generate a meaningful picture of the environment from a multitude of sound sources. Whilst this usually happens unconsciously and effortlessly in people with normal hearing, it often poses significant challenges for those with hearing impairments.

To better understand these processes, we develop and investigate models of hearing as well as algorithms for future hearing aids. In doing so, we explore, for example, how relevant sound sources can be identified, how speech can be made more intelligible in noisy environments, and how hearing aids can be adapted more intelligently to the needs of their users.

Another focus of our research is the ecological validity of hearing aid evaluations. Many traditional hearing tests take place under highly controlled laboratory conditions and only reflect everyday situations to a limited extent. We are therefore developing methods that allow hearing aids to be assessed in communication situations that are as close to real life as possible. To this end, we use modern laboratory environments that combine virtual and real-world elements and enable natural patterns of movement and communication. Furthermore, methods for hearing aid research are applied and (further) developed in the field to bring our research even closer to everyday life.

An important part of our work is the development and use of open research tools. Through the openMHA and TASCAR projects, we contribute to open and reproducible hearing research. These tools are used internationally in research and development and enable the investigation of new hearing aid algorithms as well as the creation of interactive virtual listening environments.

For students of physics, as well as those studying physics, engineering and medicine, the research group offers various opportunities to explore the topics of hearing, communication and signal processing. These include, for example, the PTM lab course and the block lab course in psychophysics, neurosensorics and auditory signal processing as part of the advanced lab course. We also supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses on current topics in hearing research.

Alongside research, we place great emphasis on an open and collaborative working atmosphere. Current projects are presented and discussed at monthly group meetings. During ‘Pitch Talks’, members of the research group provide insights into their ongoing work, whilst at ‘Code Cafés’, technical topics are explored and discussed together in a relaxed atmosphere. Regular exchanges within the group ensure that everyone involved can participate in developments and projects. Furthermore, conferences and workshops offer the opportunity to present research findings and network with scientists from around the world.

If you’d like to find out more about our research or are interested in a lab tour, we’d be delighted to hear from you at: